The Story Behind John Belushi’s Bee Costume on Saturday Night Live

In the intriguing world of Saturday Night, one standout moment features John Belushi donning a bee costume. This whimsical choice is emblematic of the film’s quirky approach, reflecting the eccentric atmosphere surrounding the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL).While the film does not delve deeply into the context of this costume, devoted fans of the iconic sketch show will likely decode its significance.

Directed by Jason Reitman, his 2024 film Saturday Night transports viewers to October 11, 1975 – the pivotal night when SNL first aired. The narrative revolves around Lorne Michaels, portrayed by Gabriel LaBelle, as he grapples with the chaos of producing the debut episode. Throughout, the film interweaves memorable sketches and features notable SNL cast and guest stars, including Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Henson, Andy Kaufman, and, of course, John Belushi.

The Origins of Belushi’s Bee Costume: The “Killer Bees”Sketch

Delving into the Bee Hospital Sketch

In Saturday Night, John Belushi’s appearance in a bee costume plays a pivotal role in one of the pilot’s hallmark sketches: “Bee Hospital.”This sketch features Belushi alongside other actors, all clad in bee attire, as they gather in a hospital delivery room, anxiously speculating about the future of a newborn bee. Options range from drones to workers to a queen bee.

While the film does not present the full sketch, it makes several references to it. A significant plotline follows Belushi’s character as he grapples with the decision to sign his contract, creating turmoil in the show’s production. Ultimately, he is convinced to sign after Michaels and Gilda Radner find him at an ice skating rink, where he is humorously depicted skating while still dressed in his Killer Bee costume—a striking visual that has become iconic.

The Killer Bees: Unlikely Icons of SNL

A Memorable Presence in Season 1

The “Bee Hospital”sketch left a lasting impression, leading to the Killer Bees becoming SNL‘s first recurring characters. Throughout the show’s first season, the Killer Bees appeared in an impressive eleven sketches, endearing themselves to audiences and solidifying their status as fan favorites during SNL’s formative years. Notably, one of their standout performances can be found in the sketch titled “The Killer Bees: Home Invasion”, available for viewing

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Despite their popularity, the network pressured the production to eliminate the Killer Bees. In his book Live From New York, Lorne Michaels recounts that NBC’s only directive was to “Cut the bees.”In a bold move, Michaels decided to feature the Killer Bees again in subsequent episodes following this feedback. Although their appearances dwindled after the first season, with only five more showings throughout the original cast’s tenure, the Killer Bees have earned a place in the annals of SNL history.

Belushi’s Perspective on the Killer Bees Sketches

Did He Dislike the Costume?

While John Belushi generally shied away from discussing his SNL characters in interviews, the film Saturday Night manages to capture the essence of his experiences. Although it remains unclear how he felt specifically about the Killer Bees, a 1978 Rolling Stone interview recounts an encounter with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest author Ken Kesey, who was a fan of the Killer Bees. In response, Belushi made sure they performed the sketch that week.

“I’m thinking, ‘At last, I’m meeting the great Ken Kesey, ’ and what is the only thing he wants to hear about? Killer bees. So we did them on the show that week.”

This anecdote suggests that Belushi might not have harbored outright disdain for the beloved Killer Bees. Despite the cast’s fatigue with the recurring characters later on, Belushi’s willingness to resurrect them for a particular audience highlights their impact. It’s heartening to see the Killer Bees receive well-deserved recognition in the film Saturday Night.

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